Introduction In assessing the Web 2 tools I am using the same criteria posted as an example in the online 538 Wiki Website. The criteria are; usability, cost, instructional worth, and safety and security. I agree that usability not only encompasses ease of daily use but how quickly the tool can be learned and efficiently incorporated into my daily work. When addressing the tools cost I gave high marks (5) to tools that are free. Tools that cost money received lower marks dependent on the price. Relative use of the tool was not reflected in the overall rating for this area. If the tool is sponsored by an advertisement that is intrusive to its application a notation was made but the score was not adversely affected. Scoring for the Instructional Use of the tool was predicated solely on whether or not I would potentially use the tool in my future teachings. The last category of safety and security analyzes student’s ability to use the product without fear of being compromised. Consideration was also given if content added to the site was automatically public domain.
The aforementioned criteria are similar to the posted online example with some simplifications in the tools scoring process. The critiquing and assessment of these tools is for the purposes of use in an elementary classroom. Table for evaluating web 2.0 tools
Usability
5 4 3 2 1 Very Easy to Use Extremely Hard to Learn
How easy is the tool to learn and use?
Cost
5 4 3 2 1 Free Not Worth the Cost
Is the tool free or what is the cost? If free, is the tool ad-driven or funded by another means?
Instructional Worth
5 4 3 2 1 Will Definitely Use Don’t See any Use
How can the tool be used in the classroom or for personal use?
Safety and Security
5 4 3 2 1 Safe and Secure Very Unsafe
Is the tool password protected or public domain? How is inputted information used?
Criteria Selection
Browser Set-up: Firefox
CRITERIA
RATING
COMMENTS
Usability
5
Firefox is a great tool and it seems to be much more user friendly than Internet Explorer.
Cost
5
This Guy is Free!!!
Instructional Worth
5
The Browser is very user friendly and will help out any instr4uctor trying to implement technology into their classroom.
Safety and Security
2
Not much safety and security you really just download it and get going.
Aggregators: Google Reader
CRITERIA
RATING
COMMENTS
Usability
3
I was on it for an hour and could not figure out how to get around and add items to the reader.
Cost
5
Free- Ad driven by Google
Instructional Worth
2
I feel that this is unnecessary and just another password to have. If I find an article I will add it to my webpage for the students.
Safety and Security
3
Requires a password to enter, so you must create an account. But you are able to share items with others
Social Bookmarking: del.icio.us
CRITERIA
RATING
COMMENTS
Usability
3
This was very easy to navigate around the site.
Cost
5
Free
Instructional Worth
4
I feel that this is just another password to remember and is not necessary for bookmarking specific sites
Safety and Security
4
Requires a password, so you must create an account
Search Tools: Dogpile.com
CRITERIA
RATING
COMMENTS
Usability
5
Just as easy as Google
Cost
5
Free
Instructional Worth
5
Uses Google, Yahoo, Bing and Ask to search for information
Safety and Security
4
Search information is kept within the system
Webstart: Google Personalized
CRITERIA
RATING
COMMENTS
Usability
5
Sets up for you just by clicking things you desire to hear about
Cost
5
Free
Instructional Worth
3
Some of the information that appears is not what was requested. Some info is unnecessary for the classroom
Safety and Security
4
Your information is remembered to update the dashboard but no password is required
Weblogs: Bloglines
CRITERIA
RATING
COMMENTS
Usability
4
There are many steps in the process of setting up the blog.
Cost
5
Free
Instructional Worth
4
This will be a useful communication tool and an excellent way to disseminate information.
Safety and Security
2
Not a very secure site. This would be accessible by the public.
WikisSpaces: Wiki
CRITERIA
RATING
COMMENTS
Usability
4
This program has some very nice features. It is quite user friendly and is very useful for networking with groups of people that need to connect with usable navigation.
Cost
5
This is completely FREE!
Instructional Worth
5
Any method of technology that can be used to better increase the communication within a classroom is very useful. This is great for instructors as things can change in the blink of an eye. Keep students posted will be very easy and fun with this program.
Safety and Security
4
This seems to be very safe against other users. However once it is posted it seems as though anyone in the group that you are a part of can view it. So just like anything else, be sure to censor what is being posted with great detail.
Web-Based Word Processing: Zoho Writer
CRITERIA
RATING
COMMENTS
Usability
5
This is very nice. It is just like using Microsoft Word on the internet though. It is great for the user who may not have paid for Microsoft products.
Cost
5
This is absolutely FREE!!!
Instructional Worth
3
It would be very nice for sharing things from person to person being that it is already online. However, it is also easy to just use word that most of already have on our computers.
Safety and Security
5
It is based through my google email so it is very secure.
Creative Writing: Glypho
CRITERIA
RATING
COMMENTS
Usability
4
It is pretty easy to use. There was a struggle trying to find out what the web site was used for.
Cost
5
This is Stupendously Free!!!
Instructional Worth
4
This would be a great way to get students to write stories especially because every story has a shot at getting published.
Safety and Security
4
There is a sign in but it is hard to tell how safe it really is in regards to other users and such.
Web-Based Spreadsheets: Teach-nology
CRITERIA
RATING
COMMENTS
Usability
5
This program was very easy to use and the website was easy to navigate.
Cost
5
Free but the overload of advertising was a little much.
Instructional Worth
3
I liked the idea of having a plethora of lesson plans available and the spreadsheets would potentially be useful
Safety and Security
4
This is password protected and a fairly secure site.
Assessment, Surveys, Polls: Rubistar
CRITERIA
RATING
COMMENTS
Usability
5
Extremely easy to use, whether using a template or creating your own rubric.
Cost
5
Free
Instructional Worth
5
Offers templates on all subject areas, offers an inspiration page, and enables you to make rubrics that are interactive, for example uploading or linking to BlackBoard.
Safety and Security
5
Requires you and your students to create an account.
Podcasting: MyPodcast
CRITERIA
RATING
COMMENTS
Usability
5
Easy to upload and/or record podcasts. Instantly updates any changes you have made to your podcast.
Cost
5
Free
Instructional Worth
5
Could be really cool for your students to be a part of a classroom podcast. You as the teacher could create a podcast and have your students listen to it for extra credit or a weekly homework.
Safety and Security
5
Must become a member to create and listen to podcasts on MyPodcast.
Screencasting: ScreenCast.com
CRITERIA
RATING
COMMENTS
Usability
5
2GB of both storage and bandwidth each month.
Cost
5
Free
Instructional Worth
5
Will display in any format, easy to share.
Safety and Security
5
Must be a member, you control what you upload and whatever is uploaded is in the form you’ve created it in. You hold the rights to your content. You decide who gets to view your account.
In assessing the Web 2 tools I am using the same criteria posted as an example in the online 538 Wiki Website. The criteria are; usability, cost, instructional worth, and safety and security. I agree that usability not only encompasses ease of daily use but how quickly the tool can be learned and efficiently incorporated into my daily work. When addressing the tools cost I gave high marks (5) to tools that are free. Tools that cost money received lower marks dependent on the price. Relative use of the tool was not reflected in the overall rating for this area. If the tool is sponsored by an advertisement that is intrusive to its application a notation was made but the score was not adversely affected. Scoring for the Instructional Use of the tool was predicated solely on whether or not I would potentially use the tool in my future teachings. The last category of safety and security analyzes student’s ability to use the product without fear of being compromised. Consideration was also given if content added to the site was automatically public domain.
The aforementioned criteria are similar to the posted online example with some simplifications in the tools scoring process. The critiquing and assessment of these tools is for the purposes of use in an elementary classroom.
Table for evaluating web 2.0 tools
Very Easy to Use Extremely Hard to Learn
Free Not Worth the Cost
Will Definitely Use Don’t See any Use
Safe and Secure Very Unsafe
Criteria Selection
Browser Set-up: Firefox
Usability
5
Cost
Instructional Worth
Safety and Security
Usability
3
Cost
Instructional Worth
I feel that this is unnecessary and just another password to have. If I find an article I will add it to my webpage for the students.
Safety and Security
Usability
3
Cost
Instructional Worth
Safety and Security
Usability
Cost
Instructional Worth
Safety and Security
Usability
5
Cost
Instructional Worth
Safety and Security
Weblogs: Bloglines
Usability
4
Cost
Instructional Worth
Safety and Security
Usability
4
Cost
Instructional Worth
Safety and Security
Web-Based Word Processing: Zoho Writer
Usability
5
Cost
Instructional Worth
Safety and Security
Usability
4
Cost
Instructional Worth
Safety and Security
Usability
5
Cost
Instructional Worth
Safety and Security
Usability
5
Cost
Instructional Worth
Safety and Security
Podcasting: MyPodcast
Usability
Cost
Instructional Worth
Safety and Security
Screencasting: ScreenCast.com
Usability
Cost
Instructional Worth
Safety and Security